Chapter 7

Post Production

P

ost production is thestage ofthe process where the
imageistakenfromitsdigitalstateincameratoamore
usableimagereadyforprintordisplay.Ifthephotographer
hasworkedhardtoproduceasclosetowhathewantsin
camerathepostproductionstageshouldinvolveverylittle
work, and just be a matter of minor adjustments and
manipulation.

To lessenpost productiontime, thephotographer should
endeavour to achieveRAW file informationas close as
possibleto thefinaloutputrequired.Withgoodlighting,
correct useof lensesand settings,correct exposuresand
composing the image in camera, only a few minor
adjustments are needed to create the final image.

If photographers become complacent and work in the
mindsetthatimagescanberescuedinpostproductionthey
willspendtimecorrectingandrescuingpoorimages,witha
negativeeffecttothefinalqualityoftheimage;themorea
fileis manipulatedthemoreinformationwillbe moved,
and the result will be poorer quality.